Work in progress.
We finally stepped onto East India... and it was awesome. Culture, People, Nature.
- Guwahati (Port of entry/exit)
Click here for the Assam part of the trip.
Landed in Guwahati and in East India for the first time! which I personally always feel is almost like another country. The beauty of India and its diversity at its most extreme when a South Indian visits East India. Our ride, Bishar, received us at the airport and after a day stop at Chandubi, we crossed over in Meghalaya and Alfred our guide and driver for Meghalaya took over. The atmosphere and views changed as we crossed into Meghalaya.
Our first stop was at Umiam Lake view point then onto Mawplang Sacred Grove. Our host there had set up a tent and table just for us... to have an incredible fully local flavored picnic lunch in the edge of a large grassland and the Sacred grove in our sight. It was indeed like 'Scotland of the East'! We then walked into the Grove with our guide telling us about its significance and rituals that make it sacred. The fascinating part of the quietness and the rule of nothing taken out or in!
We reached Cherrapunjee late evening but dark already as sunset is at 5pm here. It was quite cold so a hot dinner with good soup was most welcome. Interestingly, no rain was predicted for the 5 days we were in an area that receives the highest rainfall in the country. We timed our trip to time the few weeks when it does not rain at all there! Lucky or did we miss out on a spectacle?
During the time we were here, it was 2 day trips to caves and then waterfalls. Both were enjoyable. Water was freezing cold... but so clear and clean that we braved it and splashed around. All tourist points were reached after a small walk with entry fees of 50 to 100 Rs. Toilets were 10 Rs and Life vests if we wanted to get close to the falls was also available for rent. Overall, places were well organized and not crowded enabling us to enjoy without any issues. Well done Meghalaya!
Our stay with Shilliang Joshar was with Babah who met us around noon with his son to guide us to the 2 gems near his place. Living root nest and a ladder. Both lovingly crafted by the root experts. Our walk to and from the locations was fun as was daily routine for the villagers. Bahbah picked up leaves and other edibles along the trail for our picnic lunch which we had in a wild farm. He had got some rice and meat but made the salad and chutney with things he picked up and some ingredients. Highlight was grinding the chutney with a bamboo utensil cut there itself and discarded! Truly living in the wild.
After some wild experience with Bahbah... we drove to Pung Weikyan called weavers village. There Muthok who is working on local agricultural practices was our guide along with his mother. Got to water around their village for a few hours along with a farm visit and lunch. For lunch, they had collected 10 different types of just leaves and kept them in a basket like salad. No dressing or even salt. Just pick a few and munch along with rice!
Our last stop was Tyrna at Shalindas homestay. This was close to the double decker root bridge start point. We chose to skip that popular destination for a Ummunoi and Umkar root bridges that are accessible by a shorter trek.
Caves and waterfalls.
Babah. Ladder, Nest and forest picnic.
Muthok. Farm and other experiences.
Tyrna. Living bridges.
No comments:
Post a Comment